LA CROSSE — The G-E-T/Melrose-Mindoro boys wrestling co-op pushed one of the top programs in the state to the final match in a WIAA Division 2 state semifinal dual on Saturday morning.
But a couple of missed opportunities early hindered the second-seeded Titans in a 33-23 loss to third-seeded Coleman in the team state tournament at the La Crosse Center.
G-E-T/Melrose-Mindoro (14-2) never led but was within 12-9 after five matches and 20-17 after nine.
Junior Aaron Dunigan (46-4)gave the Titans a 4-3 decision at 215 to get them within 28-23, but Devin Otto (38-6) — a fourth-place individual state finisher last week in Madison — won by technical fall to secure the win for the Cougars.
Coleman (21-0) wrestles Evansville (29-1) for the Division 2 championship at 3 p.m. today.
“In certain matches, we got after it,” G-E-T/Melrose-Mindoro coach Pete Peterson said. “We got some pins and techs when we needed to, but we had some close ones coming in that we thought we’d win but didn’t.”
Senior Gunnar Kremer (35-12, 126 pounds), senior Colton Koss (43-9, 132), junior Brody Banse (43-9, 144), senior Jayce Stetzer (49-8, 157) and junior Braden Peterson (27-7, 175) also won for the Titans, but Colmen won the rest of the matches.
Coleman sophomore Bently Nowak (42-3) beat Koda Purney (43-12) 4-0 at 120 in a battle between state qualifiers. Coleman senior Cole Berth (39-7) also beat Merek Windsor (37-17) 3-2 at 165 in another match between two state qualifiers.
